We Review 3 Of The Best Vintage Coffee Grinders

If you miss the days of coffee beans ground by hand and kettles of water boiled on an open flame, you’re a person after my own heart.

The space-age style grinders that look like they could shoot to the moon on their own power are great for contemporary homes with modern equipment.

There’s nothing wrong with electric grinders and coffee makers with digital conveniences, but coffee should be savoured before the start to a busy day full of technology, buzzing phones and the bing of invading emails.

While this is just my preference, vintage-style manual grinders are terrific for slowing yourself down and enjoying the coffee process. It’s a reminder of a lifestyle that wasn’t as hectic.

CoffeeWerks Vintage Cafe Manual Ceramic Burr Coffee Grinder

While it was mentioned above, the vintage manual grinder is not just for those who love all things vintage and original, it’s also perfect for people who find themselves without electricity often.

That includes those people who live on their boat or in an RV. It’s great for camping and hiking adventures, too.

Features:

Adjustable ceramic burr

Fully disassemble for cleaning

Compact size – 4.5 x 8 inches

Ceramic base

Stylish, vintage cafe appearance

Adjustment Upon Arrival

To keep the grinder from being damaged during shipping, the manufacturer ships it with the mechanisms very loose. You’ll need to adjust the grind out of the box. There are two screws located in the bowl that need to be tightened.

Remove the handle nut as well as the handle. The cog wheel is what needs to be adjusted to alter the grind size. Test it with a tablespoon of beans before making a full hopper.

Cleaning the Mechanism

The entire grinder can be dismantled to provide easy clean up for the best coffee. You don’t want old, stale grinds hanging around inside the grinder. A brush will help you rid the grinder of old coffee dust and you can run a cup of rice through to clean the burr.

XHHOME Vintage Roman Style Manual Coffee Bean Grinder

If you’re looking for a vintage coffee grinder that will look like an amazing conversation piece on your counter, this is the right grinder for you. It’s a stunning blend of bronze and wood.

This grinder will give you the ultimate control over the size of your grind for the perfect cup of coffee.

Features:

Cast iron

Closed bin design

Wooden base

Beautiful bronze and wood color

A Slow Grind

Add a small amount of coffee beans to the bowl of the grinder. Make sure you’re ready to spend a few minutes turning the handle to get the perfect grind for your coffee. If you grind too fast, you’ll end up with heat that can influence the flavor of the grind in the end.

Cleaning the Machine

One of the considerations for a grinder is getting inside to clean. You don’t want to plunge the grinder into water since it can cause problems with the mechanism. Instead, use a damp cloth to clean the exterior but use a dry brush on the interior.

DGQ Manual Coffee Bean Hand Grinder Vintage Style

This has been included at the end of the list because while it’s a vintage style coffee grinder, it’s also a beautiful shiny metal that can blend a modern world with the vintage style you might love. It’s a great compromise.

Features:

Sleek stainless finish

Adjustable grind

Compact design – 6.3 x 3.7 inches

Ceramic burr grinder

Adjusting Out of the Box

Upon arrival, remove the center nut and the handle. There are gaskets and a nut under the handle that can be removed, too. The hexagon screw is the one to be tightened or loosened to adjust your grind. The looser the screw, the coarser the grind. Tighten it fully to get a fine grind for espresso.

Cleaning the Grinder

This is a grinder that can be fully immersed in water to get it as clean as possible. The ceramic burr interior and stainless exterior means you don’t have to worry about rust in the grinder if it’s wet.

Make sure it’s completely dry, though, before attempting to grind your beans. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a wet clumped mess at the end of your grinding time.

One of the best reasons to purchase a vintage coffee grinder is because of the grinder itself. When you grind your beans manually, you’re getting a different flavor than if you were to use an electric grinder.

It might be more convenient to use an electric, but some of the flavor profiles can change depending on the bean as well as the style of burr involved. A vintage manual grinder will give you an even grind that makes for a spectacular cup of coffee.

These are 3 of the best vintage grinders we’ve chosen for their style and grind mechanism. They’ll look great on the counter of your rustic home, or on the counter of your RV (stuck with museum putty, of course).